International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
ISSN 2319 - 4847
Relevance of On-line Office Administration
through Working from Home in Future
Education System
Reshma1, P. Sridhar Acharya2 , P. S. Aithal3
1
Office Administration Division
Srinivas Institute of Management Studies, Pandeshwar,
Mangalore – 575 001, India
2
Srinivas Institute of Management Studies, Pandeshwar,
Mangalore – 575 001, India
3
Srinivas Institute of Management Studies, Pandeshwar,
Mangalore – 575 001, India
ABSTRACT
The progress in informative communication technology (ICT) and internet technologies supported new innovative business
models like e-business, e-education, and e-governance. It is expected that the developments in multimedia technology shifts the
conventional higher education and training system completely into online ubiquitous education system. This helps the learner
to study in any university located anywhere in the globe. Students get freedom to work and study simultaneously by enrolling
online education in these global universities. When online education model is considered as next wave in higher education
system, we propose a new idea of online office system to support online education model. This online office management
system serves as back office system of present college based education system. This online office functions like conventional
office system in higher education where it does all functions related to marketing, admission, enrollment, managing online
study materials, online attendance, online assignment submission & evaluation management, handling student and faculty
queries, supporting examination based evaluation and finally monitoring degree/diploma certificate generation. All these
online office functions can be managed and controlled by a team of online office managers working from their homes so that
the physical existence of the online global education providers/universities can be totally eliminated. This paper highlights the
concept of online office back-up in ubiquitous higher education system, objectives of working from home model, its
consequence in developing countries like India, its advantages to students, employees and service providers, benefits to all the
stakeholders and the society, constraints for the employees and employers, and disadvantages to the stake holders due to such
model. It is found that such model decreases the expenditure for travelling, to have better homely food etc. for the employees
and decrease expenditure for office space and maintenance for employers/service providers.
Keywords: Ubiquitous online education, online back office, working from home model.
1. INTRODUCTION
Time and people will change automatically during the course of time. In olden days the education system was
depending on teachers and other supporting staff members. There was no sign of computerization or automation. The
teachers were using black board for teaching, the office staff members were using ledgers, files and papers and
maintaining the documents manually. The advent of technology has brought changes drastically in both teaching and
back office activities. Now teachers are using LCD projectors for teaching and get animated teaching aids with the help
of internet. Assignments are given and evaluated online. Teachers keep upgrading themselves using the internet and
they can teach the latest concepts in their subjects. In future days, all the assignments, presentations could be possible
online, students may get the service using Laptop, Notepad, I-pad etc. In future education system, teachers could work
at home and they may teach the subjects and give assignments sitting at home [1-2]. The examination scheme may be
completely online based and computerized valuation system may replace the present manual paper valuation system.
The future education system is becoming more and more tech savvy and most of the schools and colleges are obtaining
better equipments like usage of computer system and electronic equipments etc to cope with this latest technology. This
trend will help the teachers to work at home, saving a lot of time and increasing their work area with the advent of the
technology. The students will be able to study by learning online, send their projects, assignments, essays through email
to the teachers, they can work at home through computers/smart phones [3-4]. In this paper we have discussed an
innovative concept of doing back office work from home using information communication technology. This paper
highlights the concept of online office back-up in ubiquitous higher education system, objectives of working from home
model, its consequences in developing countries like India, its advantages to students, employees, employers and
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
Page 44
International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
ISSN 2319 - 4847
society, benefits to all the stakeholders and the society, constraints for the employees, employers and the society, and
the disadvantages to the stake holders due to such model. It is found that such model decreases the expenditure for
travelling, to have better homely food etc. for the employees and decrease expenditure for office space and maintenance
for employers/service providers.
2. OBJECTIVES OF ONLINE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN FUTURE
Online Learning and the future of residential education is exchange of ideas about the future of higher education oncampus and off campus. Online education makes the development of new technologies and new practices. Computer
will become more reliable and specialized. It will help the students for their online education. Students can send their
assignments, Project reports and also can write their examination with their own wish through online. It is also studied
that the ubiquitous online education system has many similar features of ideal education system in terms of the
properties like global reachability, inelastic demand, open courses for everybody, high quality courses for everybody,
minimum instructors requirement, low overhead, low investments, free of Government regulations, portability,
satisfying everyone's intellectual needs, less time consumption, potential opportunity for high income, repeated
opportunity for continuing education, ubiquity, technology dependent, all-round development through education,
hundred percent efficiency, choice of alternative courses, and longer sustainability [4]. Using online conferencing as a
tool students can interact between each other and with the faculty whom they wish to communicate on chosen subject.
This is used in education system which facilitates the traditional class room based teaching using internet tools for both
watching the lessons and interaction on a given subject. Online learning allows the students to continue to work while
learning. The block diagram representing online education systems in terms of characteristics to support working at
home is shown in Fig. 1.
3. FUTURE EDUCATION SYSTEM - INDIAN PERSPECTIVE
India is a developing country and is growing with leaps and bounds. India has reached a remarkable milestone in
Technology and communication which are very much required for the future higher education system. The education
sector is completely modernized with the initiation of online education. Many organization in India now provide online
education with disciplines like, MBA, MCA, Executive MBA, Digital Marketing etc. Indian Govt. through its Ministry
Human Resource Development and Dept. of Higher Education has developed objectives of higher education of the
country to expand the Higher Education sector in all is modes of delivery to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)
in Higher Education to 15% by 2011-12 to 21% by 2016-17 and 30% by the year 2020. To realize the objective the
only solution is creation & supporting of online education opportunities in the country. Online education gives freedom
to the students to work and study at the same time. The online study material can be used anytime and anywhere. To
achieve this goal the supporting tool i.e., internet and mobile communication technology has reached considerable level
of penetration in the country during last 10 to 15 years. The acceleration of internet growth in India can be gauged
from the fact that India took 10 years to move from 10 to 100 million. It took 3 years to move from 100 to 200 million,
whereas the next 100 million (from 200 to 300M) milestone was achieved in just 1 year. Even if the same growth is
maintained, India will reach 500 million users before end of 2016. In comparison, China has around 650 million
internet users accounting for around 43% of their population. United States has roughly 279 million users accounting
for roughly 47 percent of their population. With 302 million internet users by end of December 2014, India has
overtaken United States as the second largest country in the world in terms of number of internet users with penetration
of around 24 percent. It is found that the healthy growth in internet users has been driven by rural Indians who are now
increasingly accessing internet either on their mobile phones or computers. Rural India registered a growth rate of 39
percent to reach 101 million users by October 2014, whereas urban India grew by 29 percent to reach 177 million by
October 2014. By end of December 2014, Urban India had 190 million internet users (63%), while rural India had 112
million (37%). It is predicted that 52 million new internet users will be added in first six months of 2015, means that
India will be adding roughly 10 million internet users every month. In terms of frequency of internet usage in India,
about 61 percent of users are daily users. About 18 percent access internet several times a day, 10 percent users at least
once a day and 33 percent access on all 7 days. It is also found that most of the users access internet for general search,
social networking browsing and entertainment. Interestingly 61 percent access internet for online shopping and 63
percent access to do online transactions [5].
In India, the usage of mobile phone to for communication and internet access is also growing in an accelerated manner.
Presently around 173 million or 57 percent of Indian internet users access internet from their mobile phones. The
percent of mobile internet users has grown more rapidly than traditional broadband users. 49 million new mobile
internet users have been added between Oct 2013 to Oct 2014. Out of 125 crores population, about 90 crores mobile
phone users are registered and more than 90% young population is using mobile phones for their regular
communication. Such tremendous growth of mobile phone users and internet users through mobile devices in India is
surely shows a great sign for expanded opportunity for online education and working from home model in India.
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
Page 45
International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
ISSN 2319 - 4847
Online Education
Professional
Studies
Executive
Studies
Digital
Courses
Other Courses
Faculties
Students
I Pad
Video
Conference
Online Study
Materials
Tablet
Mobile
Online
Examination
Computer
Online
Evaluation
Assignments
Project Report
Exam
Seminar
Figure 1: The future education system which supports working at home.
4. WORKING FROM HOME MODEL
The online education system provides flexibility for students and supporting staff members to work from anywhere and
not only they can concentrate on their work but also they can do different activities including earning degrees in higher
education. Working from home is a type of flexible method of working sitting at home doing the same work presently
the staff members and students do in the traditional class room based study [6-7]. This requires an agreement between
employer and employee regarding the nature of work, working hour, service regulations and salary and other
commitments. working hours, working part time etc. It is a challenge to both employers and employees.
As per the technology acceptance model proposed by Lin and Wu (2002) [8], the use of a new model in society depends
on peoples behavioral intention to use which in turn depends on attitude towards use, which further depends on
perceived usefulness, perceived cost, perceived assurance and perceived ease of use [6]. The most basic proposition of
the modified technology acceptance model called TCSET model is Users Stimulation (SC) and is a function of
Stimulative Behavior (SB) and Stimulative Intention(SI) [9].
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
Page 46
International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
ISSN 2319 - 4847
Society
ADVANTAGES
Employer
Cost
Communication
Connectivity
Time
Flexibility
Freedom
Satisfaction etc.
BENEFITS
CONSTRAINTS
Employee
DISADVANTAGES
Student
Figure 2 : Working from home model : Future impact of IT in education system.
Perceived Usefulness depends on : (1) Ubiquitous service, (2) Enhanced Productivity, (3) Time saving, (4) Opportunity
for better service, (5) Status in the Society, and (6) Challenging. Perceived Ease of Use depends on : (1) Easy Operation
of the device, (2) Easy and simple method of obtaining service, (3) Bundled services, (4) Availability of services, &
Network, (5) Ease of switching between new and old models, (6) Ease of making corrections, (7) Ease of Registration
to the bank. Perceived Cost depends on : (1) Low device cost, (2) Low service cost, (3) Avoiding intermediatories, (4)
Low transaction cost, (5) Low cost registration for availing service, (6) Zero hidden cost. Perceived Assurance depends
on : (1) Security of customer and Information, (2) Accuracy of transaction information, (3) Reliability of service [1011].
Working from home model for online ubiquitous education using information communication technology is shown in
Fig. 2. The advantages, disadvantages, benefits and constraints of this model are identified and analysed in terms of
stakeholders frame of reference. The basic proposition of the modified technology acceptance model which include
Users Stimulation (SC) and is a function of Stimulative Behavior (SB) & Stimulative Intention (SI) are also applicable
with some modifications. The acceptance of this model by various stakeholders in the society depends on the critical
factors like Cost reduction, Communication effectiveness, Ubiquitous connectivity, Time saving, Flexibility of service,
Freedom of choice & work, and Personal Satisfaction etc. The user stimulation constructs like Advantages, Benefits,
Constraints and Disadvantages in terms of identified factors are important in deciding the adaption of such model in
higher education system. These constructs will also decides the Stimulative Behavior and Stimulative Intention of using
such model.
5. NEED FOR WORKING FROM HOME
Working from home literally means working at your home to earn a satisfactory living, whether you have an office or
not. Working from home is a popular family-friendly, sustainable working practice that offers a potential solution to
many of today’s pressing problems faced by the employers as well as employees. A work from home or work at home
model involves working from home and is differs from the tele-working that it does not require the employee stay
electronically connected to the work location during business hours. It can also mean work at home opportunities that
pays you big bucks to do data entry work. Here work performed is generally done independently so does not require
team interaction or consistent communication. Work at home indicates that an employee or contractor can complete
work duties within their own home. It also is more likely that the employee can live far from the actual location of
his/her business area for which he or she is working because face to face contact at the location may not be necessary.
But it is least known fact that the home-based workforce is practiced in different parts of the country and abroad. Work
homes are not just a place of work producing avenues, also they can be found throughout the history, usually
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
Page 47
International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
ISSN 2319 - 4847
recognized as workplaces having some motive [6-7]. The various factors contributing under the four identified
constructs like advantages, benefits, constraints and disadvantages are derived by a qualitative data collection
instrument namely focus group method [12-13], in the point of view of the employees, the employers, the students and
the society and depicted in the following sections.
6. ADVANTAGES OF FUTURE EDUCATION SYSTEM THOUGH WORKING FROM HOME
By working at home people can save their precious time which they normally spend in going to the workplace and
return to home from the workplace. In addition to this they can save many hidden costs associated like costs of
commuting, car wear and tear, fuel, road taxes, parking as well as indirect costs such as expensive professional
wardrobes and the dry-cleaning of those. Often they can also save on older children’s care arrangements although for
younger children it is highly unadvisable to forgo the childcare arrangement and try to balance close care and
supervision with the demands of the job [14-15].
6.1 Advantages for Employees
1. Reduces the Working Time : Working time include times like commuting, waiting etc., along with working in a
situated office. The employees have to travel from home to their office surpassing heavy traffic. This is a strenuous job
and involves more time to reach the office and work over there. Working from home will reduce the working hours,
thus maintains balance in demand & supply of labor market and it also will reduce the work week, vacation time and
earlier retirement. Short hour lifestyles allow people to build stronger social connections and maintain their physical
and mental health.
2. Confident Work without supervision : Employees working from home can plan their work well in advance. They
are the sole supervisors for themselves for the work carried out by them. There is no interference of fellow employees,
boss etc. Hence they can carry out their work without being disturbed by others.
3. Family and Health Care : Working in a family environment is fruit bearing and healthy also. While working in
home employees feel convenience and can work in a friendly environment with family members. When employees
work from home, they have more flexibility in terms of managing their time thus getting more convenient working
environment. They can also get rid of hidden costs and they have fewer distractions from inmates but no destructions
from coworkers. Moreover, when they work from home, they have better work-life balance and hence can be healthier.
6.2. Advantages for Employers
1. Conducting Regular Meeting : If Employer conducts regular meeting online, essential information related to the
business can be shared regularly and this can help the employees to keep in touch with the rest of the collogues and
other stakeholders.
2. Providing Flexible Schedule : In online working model, employers provides the suitable time schedule to the
employees round the clock so that the employees can choose their shift depending on their convenience which increases
their motivation and efficiency in work.
3. Increased Productivity : Studies show that staffers who work from home are more productive than those who work
in a typical office environment. Employees working at home have greater autonomy, face fewer interruptions and can
focus on their work. This in turn increases the productivity of the organization
6.3 Advantages for Students &Teachers
1. Laptop and Computer Facilities : Students who would like to work/study from home should possess a laptop. They
can work by using their laptops with internet facility. Data gathered may be fed into the computer and can be
converted into information. The information in the form of assignment, online examination answers may be sent to the
organization/university via internet by sitting at home.
2. Online Learning : Students can find online schools offering education in their interested /specialized area
irrespective on geographical boundaries.
3. Innovation Techniques in Teaching & Learning : The education system though working from home makes the
teachers creativity, i.e., it will take a great deal of creative effort to bring out the most creative thinking in the classes.
Teaching techniques and strategies continue to evolve. The role of a teacher has changed as well, from someone who
conveys information to someone who facilitates student learning in a variety of ways. New technologies have also
impacted teaching and learning approaches. Engaging students in their own learning can take many different forms
and some of the most effective teachers employ a variety of techniques and strategies.
6.4 Advantages for the Society
1. Full Time Service : Working from home provides any time services to the people of the society. An individual who
would like to utilize a particular service from an organization can avail that service at any time round the clock. For
example, customer care services provide 24 hours service to the public.
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
Page 48
International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
ISSN 2319 - 4847
2. Self Disciplined and Self Motivated Workers : Working from home will motivate people. People with self
motivation can find a challenge in their work and they will complete the task. Working from home needs a lot of
dedication, self-control and discipline to motivate ourselves to persevere in working at home alone over the long run
without succumbing to the distractions and losing drive and momentum. Often a partial arrangement where workers
report the office once or twice a week is the optimal arrangement as it allows for close interaction with colleagues and
supervisors and ensures them remain in touch with the office developments while still permitting them the comfort and
convenience of working from home.
3. Lesser stress & Depression : If the people are working as a full time employees in the office, it will be more
stressful whereas working from home will help them avoid the stress & depression and also will reduce the travelling
irritation and traffic jam, sound pollution etc. Working from home also avoids other stresses like unfriendly coworkers,
constant distractions etc.
7. BENEFITS OF FUTURE EDUCATION SYSTEM THOUGH WORKING FROM HOME
7.1 Benefits for Employees
1. Convenient timings and flexible schedule : With a suitable office management software, employees can do work
from the computer in their home connected to internet with a minimum investment. This flexibility cannot be achieved,
if they are working in the office.
2. Quiet & homely atmosphere : The employees who work from home are having comfortable environment and are
given a free access to the work to be completed. Since there are no disturbances from fellow employees etc. a person
working from home can work in a quite atmosphere without being disturbed by outsiders.
3. Saving travel expenses : A person working in an office needs to travel to his work place and return back home daily
after travelling a long distance. He has to spend considerable money from his pocket and also waste considerable time
for commuting from home.
7.2 Benefits for Employers
1. Saving office space and maintenance expenses : Working from home model helps employers to save investment on
infrastructure work space and makes employees to work from their home thus saving his precious time and money.
2. Improvement on human resource management : Employers are using technology in the workplace for recruitment
and training. It speed-up the process of screening, recruiting and hiring new employees. The all process saves time and
makes the work easier. Technology can also be used to track performance and productivity of each employee at work.
Once employee are aware that they are monitored, their productivity will increase.
3. High morale, efficiency & profit : Employees with flexible work options often have higher morale and enjoy their
job responsibilities more than those in a traditional office environment. Increased morale often has a positive impact on
quality of work and productivity, which benefits the business in terms of bottom-line earnings in turn increases the
profit of the organization.
7.3. Benefits for Students &Teachers
1. Innovations : This method helps to identify the most effective teaching techniques and encourage the innovations.
Teachers with the help of animations can create virtual reality during teaching difficult subjects like computer
architecture, Operating system, microprocessors and any management or technical subjects. Importance can be given to
various innovations which vary and are different from teacher to teacher.
2. Opportunity for online communication : Instructors can be more approachable in the online setting. Students may
feel more comfortable talking openly with their teachers through online chats, emails and newsgroup discussions
through video channels rather than face-to-face. Online correspondence need not wait for office hours that may not be
convenient for both Teachers and students.
3. Ease of Accessibility : Course work of the study can be accessible for students when they need it. Students can
review lectures, discussions, interactions and comments. Students can also share notes with each other to help &
facilitate online learning.
7.4 Benefits for the Society
1. Low infrastructure investment : Since the work is done from home the cost of maintaining the infrastructure
required for the office is reduced which in turn reduces infrastructural requirement in the society.
2. Better security to women in work life : Employees working from home may not have disturbance from other fellow
employees. He/she feels comfortable at home while carrying out his office work. This has added advantage for women
employees in developing countries where social security for women is at stake.
3. Gender equality in choice of work : This facility of choice of work is useful to both male and female employees
who would like to work from home. They can select the work as per their interest and competency without external
constraints.
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
Page 49
International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
ISSN 2319 - 4847
8. CONSTRAINTS OF FUTURE EDUCATION SYSTEM THOUGH WORKING FROM HOME
8.1 Constraints for Employees
1. Loss of self confidence : Employees working from home are not working face to face with employer, sometimes they
will not get proper guidance, it will lose the self confidence of the employee.
2. Distractions at home : While there are distractions in the office because of coworkers, the distractions of working
from home are much different. We can get distracted from our neighbours, kids or other family members. Employees
need to make sure that they understand that they are actually working and they are unavailable when they are working
from home. When the ladies are planning to work from home they will be having the additional distractions like
laundry, washing the dishes, taking care of the small children etc. When family members are at home, the distractions
will be more and can make working difficult.
3. Reduced interpersonal relationship : While working in a group employer and employee should identify each other.
But here employees are communicate through phone, email, video conferencing and online messages tools, this types of
communication eliminates the face to face communication. It makes the employees more reserved and self centered,
they get buried into their work which can be of great harm to a business.
8.2 Constraints for Employers
1. Loss of control on employees : Here employers are not abide by a proper rules and laws of the organization.
Employees will take their own decisions while following the rules and work will be done following employees own
ideas. It will misuse the cost and income of the business. If there are proper rules or laws while working between
employer and employee it will become successful in all the ways.
2. Inadequate supervision : Managers may find it difficult to manage the home workers than managing staff in the
office. It can be a challenging factor for most of the managers who may not come face-to-face with the staff working
from home. Since there is no proper person to monitor the work being carried out at home there may be a fear of
getting the things done in a most accomplished manner. Lack of trust is also another factor which can be the biggest
barrier to achieve a successful home working. They should make sure the employee knows what is expected of him
and what he is expected to do by sharing information and ideas with his boss and colleagues.
3. Uncertainty in achievement of target : An employee who works from home sets a time frame and deadline for the
most his important projects. He will be also very thorough about the length of time he will take to finish a particular
job. When employees are working from home they will be distracted from so many factors like neighbours entry in the
middle and involving in unnecessary discussions with them, family matters, mobile conversations with relatives etc.
may take away the work you intended and there is a fear of non completion of work in a stipulated time. As much as
people work to carefully schedule their time, there is always a chance that something will come up that can throw a
light in their future plans. This can happen to anyone regardless of whether on their working days spent in the office or
at the time of working from home. In both the cases the key to successfully resolving the issue is communication. Such
risk is always there for employers in working from home model.
8.3 Constraints for Students & Teachers
1. Quality of service becomes weak : Online studies provides weak services to the students there is no proper
communication between teachers and students and sometimes if is there any technical problem comes they will not
possible to give proper training to the students.
2. Immediate solution to the problem is not possible : Online classes do not offer the same immediate and regular
access to instructors and classmates as traditional face-to-face classes. The communication typically takes place through
e-mail and in virtual discussion forums. While this can aid in learning technology, it negatively impacts a student's
ability to interact with professors, ask questions and get immediate help. It also takes away from some of the social and
team-building that occurs informally in college classrooms.
3. Time commitment : Students sometimes misconstrue that online classes require less time and effort than traditional
courses. Students who struggle with traditional course rigor often have difficulty with the time commitment required
for online class work. Teachers have to give schedule time each day to read assignments and complete quizzes and tests
that would take in class in a traditional setting. Online students also have to engage in class discussions and complete
assignments, papers and projects. Team activities may also add to the time commitment in some classes, as students
must often communicate with peers electronically and collaborate on work.
8.4 Constraints for the Society
1. Tendency for idle work accumulation : Working from home provides idle services to the society. It makes the
laziness and wasting time of the employer and employees. If employees are provided with fulltime services, they will
not make use of the working natures.
2. Uncomfortable due to reduced social interactions : There may not be suitable space at home for employees
working from home. If the working space is smaller, it makes the people uncomfortable to enter the working area and it
is difficult to take proper discussions of a business.
3. Reduction in economic activities : Due to restricted daily movement of the people for their office jobs, the business
& economic activities depending on commuting gets affected.
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
Page 50
International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
ISSN 2319 - 4847
9. DISADVANTAGES OF FUTURE EDUCATION SYSTEM THOUGH WORKING FROM HOME
9.1 Disadvantages for Employees
1. Decreased chance to get promotion : When employees are out of sight, they can be out of mind as well. Therefore,
their boss may forget them and they can be overlooked for promotion. However, they can avoid this situation with
regular office visits such as once or twice a week. By these visits, they can remind themselves to their co-workers and
especially to their boss and prove their dedications to their career.
2. High self motivation required : When employees are working from home, they will not have a boss standing on top
of their shoulder and waiting for them to finish that report. While not everyone needs a boss like this to finish their
tasks by the deadline, they still need to have a lot of self discipline and motivation to always stay on top of their to-do
list.
3. Continuous work, Doesn’t end : Working from home, there are a lot of disadvantages to be faced by the employee.
Since there is no-one looking over their shoulder enforcing strict hours they may feel tempted to work endlessly. This
pressure to work endlessly may be compounded by the fact that they feel there are greater expectations made of them as
a home-worker or by self-imposed pressures to prove themselves and their abilities in this arrangement. Moreover the
employers and employees lack of physical separation between home and work make this pressure to work endlessly.
4. Less Social Interaction : An office is a workplace where employees can meet with other people, socialize and chitchat. However, when they work from home, they have less social interaction. In work from home model, employees
generally interact with others through phone or video conference. Therefore, they may start to feel loneliness thus the
social life in working from home becomes only a dream. This can result in mild depression that pushes us to abandon
their home employment and to rejoin the office environment.
9.2 Disadvantages for Employers
1. Difficulties to monitor employees, development and upgrading skills : Working from home there is lots of
employees are working under one employer, this makes difficulty to monitor the employer about employees skills,
knowledge, development, over time work etc. it makes the employee quit the company and they may go for other
companies, this will reduces the demand of the employer.
2. Alienated from daily company developments : There is lot of changes from day today in a company and it may
find difficulties to the employers which is important development of staff changes, new business, changes in company
direction, new competitive, Intelligence of the employees etc.
9.3 Disadvantages for Students & Teachers
1. Students may feel isolated from the instructor and classmates : Anyone who worked in an office or any other
workplace becomes accustomed to chatting with coworkers, discussing work project and other aspects of the workplace,
while in a online learning students may feel isolate alone at home. Isolation can make the students mild depression.
2. Instructor may not always be available when students are studying or need help : students and teachers are not
available always, some teachers may engage with some other work, students have wait for their need. It will wasting the
students time and reduces the learning skill.
3. Online system is not ideal for all Learners : All the candidates are not ideal candidate for online learning. If any
students have problems with motivation, weak mind and it needs lots of individual attention from a teacher. Students
have to think long and hard before joining the online learning programme.
9.4 Disadvantages for the Society
1. Internet error : If any technical problem arises like internet, software etc employers and employees cannot provide
proper services to the society, until the problem is resolved.
2. Risk of Information and security problems : There are lots of risk information and security problems faced by the
society through working from home software and communication systems. There are chances of misusing the
transaction while working online.
3. It suits only some jobs not all : All the work cannot be done through online, only some of the remote jobs can be
done.
10. CONCLUSION
A systematic business model named "working from home" is developed. The advantages, benefits, constraints and
disadvantages of this model in the frame of reference of employees, employers, students/teachers and society are
discussed. As more and more professionals seek a better work-life balance and more institutions adopt flexible policies
to accommodate shifting workplace priorities and realities the working from home option is becoming increasingly
viable. Employees see this as an ideal means to remain in the work force while enjoying all the advantages of being
based at home. However the option has its potential advantages as well as hindrances. By working at home employees
save on many hidden costs associated with going to work. It is more flexible and less distracted towards outside world.
Stress involved is less when compared to office atmosphere and desired output may achieved. Since the stress involved
is minor which leads to better health, one can lead a balanced life. At the same time there are some hindrances
involving this system. One can get isolated since he is working at the same place. The worker may get attracted from
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
Page 51
International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
ISSN 2319 - 4847
familial matters when working at home which leads to lesser concentration towards work. The worker may not get
benefits, perks, promotions etc. which are prevailing in the office atmosphere. On the whole it may be concluded that
“it is an option mostly preferred by women who need to juggle between home and work. But it shouldn’t be a norm and
should be allowed in special circumstances only. While working from home works for many people, there are some
who also think that it’s no fun and it gets too difficult to combat distractions. It is tough to draw a line or maintain a
balance between work and home. When employees are working at their home, their work lacks proper focus as
compared to while working atmosphere of a well disciplined office. Working from home isn't just easy on the
employee, but the environment as well. If they are constantly at home working, they don’t see the need to connect with
their colleagues. This strains their relationship with their colleagues. Working from home teaches the employees
management skills and to work and learn independently. But the onus is on the employers to try and make it a reliable
activity for the employed. From the students point of view, availing higher education online provides an opportunity to
save time, money and allows them to get desired education at any time allowing to work & earn while learning.
Teachers can effectively utilize their time and provide service to anybody interested irrespective of geographical
locations. The society gets maximum benefits by this 'working from home' model due to achievement of ideal system
characteristics including low cost ubiquitous service from/to various stakeholders in an organization. This also
improves the working environment and decreases the environmental pollution directly and indirectly. It is found that,
in general such model decreases the expenditure for travelling, to have better homely food etc. for the employees and
decrease expenditure for office space and maintenance for employers/service providers.
References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
Bhattacharya, Shrayana. Maryada, "Membership and Minimum Wage: Collective Action and Intra-Household
Relations". Asian Journal of Women’s Studies. Vol. 16, No. 1, pp 7-41, 2010.
Edwards, N. Linda and Elizabeth Field-Hendrey. “Home-Based Work and Women’s Labor Force Decisions.”
Journal of Labor Economics, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 170-199, 2002.
P. S. Aithal and Shubhrajyotsna Aithal, "Ideal education system and its realization through online education
model using mobile devices", Proceedings of IISRO Multi Conference 2014, Bangkok, ISBN No. 978-81-92710433-13, pp. 140 - 146, 2014.
P. S. Aithal & Shubhrajyotsna Aithal, "An Innovative Education Model to realize Ideal Education System",
International Journal of scientific research and management (IJSRM), Vol. 3, Issue 3, pp. 2464 - 2469, March,
2015.
IAMAI Digital Commerce Report 2014, Internet Mobile Association Of India (IAMAI) downloaded from website
http://www.iamai.in on 30/03/2015.
Gopal, Meena, “In Demand in a Globalised World: Women Home Based Workers,” Samyukta : a Journal of
Women’s Studies, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp 135-146, 2005.
Prugl, Elisabeth, "The Global Construction of Gender: Home Based Work in The Political Economy of the 20th
Century", New York: Columbia University Press, 1999.
Lin, C.S and Wu, S., (2002) 'Exploring the Impact of Online Service Quality on Portal Site Usage', Proceeding of
the 35th Hawaii International Conference on Systems Science, Hawaii, USA.
P. S. Aithal & K.V.M. Varambally, Security Issues in Online Financial Transactions with Special Reference to
Banking Industry, Quality in Service Sector and Managerial Challenges – Allied Publisher Pvt. Ltd. 2006, pp.
103- 114. ISBN 81-7764-992-2.
P. S. Aithal, http://www.arraydev.com/commerce/JIBC/K.V.M. Varambally, Technological Management and
Mobile Business Services in India – A Futuristic Approach Proceedings of International Conference in 10th South
Asian Management Forum 2009 on “Change and Continuity : Management Prospects and Challenges” Organized
by Royal Institute of Management, Bhutan. Page : 121 -139, ISBN: 978-99936-626-1-7, 2009
[11] K.V.M. Varambally and P.S. Aithal, Mobile Business Technology and Business Proliferation of Banks – A
futuristic Approach Amity Business Review – an Indian Journal, 10, 1, Jan-June 2009, pp. 9 – 25, ISSN 09722343.
E. M. Rogers, 'Diffusion of Innovation', 1995, The Free Press, NY.
R. M. Morgan, and S. D. Hunt, ‘The commitment-trust theory of relationship marketing’, Journal of Marketing,
Vol. 58, (July), pp. 20–38, 1994.
Sudarshan, M. Ratna, “Navigating Income Disparities: Home Based Workers and Production Chains.” The India
Economy Review, IIPM Think Tank, Vol. 4, Quarterly Issue, pp. 1-27, May 30, 2007.
Unni, Jeemol and Uma Rani. 2009. “Do Economic Reforms Influence Home-based Work in India ? Evidence
from India.” Special Issue on Inequality, Development and Growth, Feminist Economics, Vol. 15, No. 3, 2009, pp
191-225.
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
Page 52
International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
ISSN 2319 - 4847
AUTHORS
Ms. Reshma is from Bajal, Mangalore. She has completed M. Com., PGDHRM, working at
Srinivas Institute of Management Studies for 13 years. This is her Third research paper. She also
worked as Script Writer and News Reader in Mangalore news Channel for one year. She is an
active member of Art of Living and Lions Club, Mangalore and attended various programmes under
this association. Her research interest include innovations in effective back office management,
automation office services and online office management systems.
Mr. P. Sridhara Acharya is presently a faculty in BCA department of Srinivas Institute of
Management Studies Pandeshwara Mangalore since 2002. Currently his is heading the department.
He has teaching experience of more than 15 years. He was born on 06/09/1975. He had his M Sc from
Mangalore University, India in the year 1998. He had the M Phil degree from Vinayaka Mission
University, India in the year 2008. Currently he is doing his Ph. D. in the field of renewable energy
resources under the guidance of Dr. P. S. Aithal director/Principal Srinivas Institute of Management
Studies Pandeshwara. He served as a BOE member of BCA program of Mangalore University for three years. He
served as a practical exam coordinator of BCA examinations Mangalore University once. Presently he is the chairman
of BOE for BCA examinations Mangalore University. He served as a secretary of Mangalore University Computer
Science Teachers’ Association during 2010-12 and presently he is the president of the same association.
Dr. P. S. Aithal is belonging to Udupi, India, born on 04/04/1966. He has M.Sc. in Physics from
Mangalore University, India, M.Sc. in E-Business from Manipal University, India, M.Tech. in
Information Technology from Karnataka University, India, Ph.D. in Physics from Mangalore
University, India, and Ph.D. in Management from Manipal University, India. His major fields of
study are characterization of nonlinear optical materials, optical solutions, e-commerce and mobile
business. He has two years post doctoral research experience at Physical Research Laboratory,
Ahmedabad, India and one year post doctoral research experience at CREOL, University of Central
Florida, USA, in the field of Characterization of nonlinear optical materials. He has about 22 years teaching experience
both at UG and PG level in Electronics, Computer Science and Business management. Currently he is working as
PRINCIPAL at Srinivas Institute of Management Studies, Mangalore, India. He has published about 35 research papers
in peer reviewed journals and two text books on physics and Electronics for engineering students. He has research
interest in Nonlinear optical absorption, Optical Phase Conjugation, Photorefractive materials, e-business, m-business,
ideal business, and nanotechnology business Opportunities. Dr. Aithal is member of World Productivity Council, U.K.,
member of Strategic Management Forum, India, member of Photonics Society of India, CUSAT, Cochin, senior
member of IEDRC.org, Singapore.
Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
Page 53